Due to the great progress in oncology, especially in the field of immunomodulation, highly relevant new therapeutic options are available or will be available soon. These developments are of great importance in the therapy of advanced head and neck cancer and are bringing the field of immuno-oncology more and more into focus. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular interaction of tumor tissue and host immunity forms the basis for the identification of new therapeutic intervention options in order to significantly influence oncological therapy approaches in the future.

Another innovative aspect is the investigation of biomarkers detectable in blood and the use of liquid biopsy as a low-invasive diagnostic and possibility of immunological real-time monitoring, which also makes the creation of personalized and thus more efficient therapy concepts more tangible. A lack of standardization still limits its use in clinical routine, which makes scientific exchange even more necessary.

Overall, the extensive scientific program addresses these points and reflects current international research priorities with the following topics:

• Molecular biology and tumor-immune interaction
• Biomarkers and novel technologies
• Immunotherapy & Clinical Trials
• Radiotherapy & Radiomics
• HPV-associated head and neck cancer

The symposium is co-sponsored by the Leopoldina.